Kota Kinabalu: Nearly 100 families at Rumah Pangsa Tanjung Aru are upset over fencing works carried out by the Sabah Housing and Town Development Authority (LPPB) pending their eviction.
They believe it is an attempt to pressure them into leaving, even though relocation issues remain unresolved.
AdvertisementThese remaining families living in the low-cost flats built in the late 1960s criticised the fencing as unnecessary and harmful.
“We are not prisoners. Why do this?” one resident asked, adding that lack of proper airflow by the fencing creates risk of disease, extreme heat and unbearable living conditions. They also said the move contradicted earlier promises by the Government to ensure their relocation before any eviction.
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He recalled the beginning of the ordeal in May 2021, when eviction notices were issued, citing structural safety issues.
Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});“They marked every block with notices asking us to vacate, but there was no proper discussion. This happened during Covid-19 when things were already difficult for everyone. Instead of helping, they just asked us to leave,” he said.
Over the past three years, some residents accepted relocation offers, while others moved to their hometowns or found other accommodation.
Advertisement (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});However, according to Andrew many of the alternative housing were in poor condition.
“Some found their new homes uninhabitable. The walls were leaking, the sinks broken and electrical wiring was exposed. In some cases, we were even told to fix the houses ourselves before moving in,” he said.
For many of the remaining families, relocating is not an option yet.
“Some have not even received offers while others rejected the homes offered because they were not suitable. As for those still waiting, we don’t know when repairs will be completed,” Andrew said.
Andrew said the residents felt like they were being quarantined by the fencing. Metal poles have been installed, which will soon be fitted with zinc sheets to fence off the entire area.
“We’re locals, not criminals. Why are we treated this way? This fencing feels like unnecessary intimidation.”
Residents also expressed disappointment over broken promises. They claim the Government assured they could stay until March 2025 to allow time for relocation and to avoid disrupting children’s schooling.
“If this wasn’t such a valuable area, I don’t think we’d be facing this much pressure to leave,” Andrew said.
Despite their frustrations, the residents have remained peaceful and cooperative, following all proper channels to resolve the issue.
“We never had any protest, we have been very patient. We have gone through all the right channels. We’ve submitted memorandums, met with officials and waited patiently. But what have we gained? Nothing. We’re still stuck in this uncertain situation.”
He hoped the Government would fulfil its promises and prioritise the residents’ welfare.
“This issue can be solved. For those without offers, provide them homes. For those waiting for repairs, finish them quickly. Why can’t this be done properly?”
Tanjung Aru assemblyman Datuk Junz Wong also criticised the fencing works as unnecessary and a form of intimidation, adding that it demonstrated a lack of empathy from the authorities.
The assemblyman also took aim at LPPB for total lack of communication, saying even multiple attempts to meet its officials were ignored.
He recalled then Housing Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun in March 2022 assuring residents in the State Assembly that they would not be evicted without being offered suitable housing.
“If the agreement is to relocate by March, and if the Government promised to offer homes before asking residents to move out, why the rush? There’s no reason to intimidate them with fencing or demolition works,” he said.
He urged the Government to halt all ongoing fencing work and focus on delivering their promises.
